Macron calls for ‘not humiliating’ Russia, speaks of ‘isolated’ Putin

French President Emmanuel Macron

Macron said that Russian dictator Vladimir Putin had made a “fundamental and historical mistake” for himself, his people and history, by launching a full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

According to the French president, Putin is “isolated.”

Read also: Macron refuses to describe Russian war crimes in Ukraine as genocide

“Isolating is one thing, but knowing how to get out of isolation is the hard way,” Macron added.

The French president reiterated that Russia should not be “humiliated” so that “on the day when the fighting ends, we could find a way out through diplomacy.”

Asked about a possible visit to Kyiv, Macron said he did not rule it out. He stressed that France wants to increase financial and military support for Ukraine and do everything possible to unblock the export of Ukrainian grain.

In an interview with Italian TV Station Rai 1 on May 13, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that French President Emanuel Macron had suggested Ukraine should compromise on its sovereignty in order to allow Russian dictator Vladimir Putin to save face.

Mykhailo Podolyak, an adviser to the head of the President’s Office, said that similar statements had been made by other European politicians.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said that the desire of some European politicians to “save Putin’s face” was a “serious illness.”

Read also: Macron suggested Ukraine give up some of its sovereignty to allow Putin to save face, says Zelensky

According to the Reuters news agency, at least three European countries, namely Italy, Hungary and Cyprus, suggested that the final text of the May 30-31 European Union summit should refer to “peace talks with Russia and an immediate ceasefire in Ukraine.”

However, the proposal was not backed by other EU members.